Distance Learning Student Readiness Survey
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The Purdue University Calumet Office of Instructional Technology would like to ask you some questions about your background and experiences as a potential online student. By answering these questions, you are providing valuable feedback that will help us to better evaluate your particular needs and concerns with online learning. We realize it can be challenging and worrisome as a new PUC student to be successful in your first online course. Completion of this survey will help you to discover your own overall readiness to become an online learner. Your participation in this survey is voluntary and your responses will remain confidential. Please do not put your name on the survey. Completion of this survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes. Thank you in advance for your time and participation.



Learner Assessment Questions
(Please circle the response below which best describes you.)

Section #1 - Motivation

1. I believe I am (intrinsically) motivated to successfully complete an online learning course.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

2. I am able to work independently in the online environment.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

3. I am able to provide timely and thoughtful responses to my peers and/or the instructor.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

4. I can work well with other students in a group activity.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

5. I will do a good job of setting my own goals and course deadlines without needing constant reminders from others.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

Section #2 - Organization
6. An online course syllabus should be used to clearly identify the instructor's expectations of the students in an online course.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

7. I make it a practice to set aside adequate time (i.e. 12-18 hrs/week) for participating in a 3-credit online course.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

8. I will create a plan of action for completing my online courses, in consultation with my program advisor.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

9. Online learning is more convenient for me to complete my degree than relying solely on traditional classes.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

10. Online learning opportunities at the university provide students with more flexibility and choices of classes than ever before.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

Section #3 - Technical Skills
11. I am proficient in using all aspects of the computer and computer software applications.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

12. I believe the frequent use of technology contributes to gaining new computer skills.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

13. If I encounter computer problems, I know how to either resolve them or know someone to help assist me with the troubleshooting.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

14. I have updated virus protection software running on my computer.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

15. I have regular access to a reliable, high-speed Internet connection.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

16. My web browser can play a variety of multimedia formats.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree

17. I have multiple options where I can go to upload my assignments in case of technology failure with the online course system.
0
1
2
3
4
Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Agree


The last set of questions are in regards to your background as potential online students.
(Please circle the response below which best describes you.)

18. Highest level of education completed:
1. High school diploma
2. Some undergraduate courses or associate’s degree
3. College degree (4 years)
4. Graduate degree (beyond bachelor’s degree)

19. Age range :
1. 18 - 22 yrs old
2. 23 – 29 yrs old
3. 30 – 39 yrs old
4. 40 – 55 yrs old
5. More than 55 yrs old

20. Gender:
Male
Female

21. How many years have you used a computer? ­­­­­­­­­­­­­

22. How did you initially learn how to use the computer?
1. Self-taught
2. Computer courses/workshop
3. Other (please list here)

Thank you for your time in participating in this survey.



Scoring the Survey

Using the scale below, add the points for your answers to questions 1-17 above to find out if you are ready to take an online course.

Disagree = 0
Somewhat disagree =1
Neither Agree or Disagree = 2
Somewhat Agree=3
Agree=4

54 - 68 = Ready to take classes in an online learning environment

41 - 54 = Somewhat ready to take an online course, but may need more preparation

0 - 40 = Not ready to take an online course



Justifications
Section #1 - Motivation
1. Item: I believe I am (intrinsically) motivated to successfully complete an online learning course. Justification: To be successful in any online course, students need to be intrinsically motivated throughout the duration.
Intrinsic motivation is defined as motivation that comes from the inside without the constant need for external rewards.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378720604001636

2. Item: I am able to work independently in the online environment. Justification: Students need to be able to work on assignments and projects independently at times without the need for
constant reminder to complete their work. (Richardson & Swan 2003)
3. Item: I am able to provide timely and thoughtful responses to my peers and/or the instructor. Justification: Students need to be organized so that they can provide direct electronic communication to classmates and
their instructors in a timely manner without long delays. If not done, you would be considered a irresponsible online student.http://ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet19/brook.html
4. Item: I can work well with other students in a group activity. Justification: To be successful in an online learning environment, students need to be able to be skilled in cooperation and cooperation
when working with other online students. http://frank.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed01/19.html
5. Item: I will do a good job of setting my own goals and course deadlines without needing constant reminders from others.
Justification: Any successful online student needs to be able to set goals in advance of completing a course, as well as completeassignments on time. http://journals.lww.com/nurseeducatoronline/Abstract/2004/05000/Students__Perceptions_of_Online_Learning_.9.aspx
Section #2 - Organization
6. Item: An online course syllabus should be used to clearly identify the instructor's expectations of the students in an online course. Justification: All online students need structure provided by the course instructor, particularly a syllabus which lays out all the course requirements and deadlines in advance. (Grunert 1997)
7. Item: I make it a practice to set aside adequate time (i.e. 12-18 hrs/week) for participating in a 3-credit online course. Justification: Students may not realize the time needed each week to successfully complete all the assignments and discussions
for an online course. The perception sometimes is that online classes require less work time than a traditional face to face course,which is simply not true. http://www.kfrankola.com/Documents/Why%20online%20learners%20drop%20out_Workforce.pdf
8. Item: I will create a plan of action for completing my online courses, in consultation with my program advisor.
Justification: Before beginning an online course, students need to work with an online program adviser at completing a plan of actionon your goals and objectives so that you can see what you specifically accomplished at the end. http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/viewArticle/131
9. Item: Online learning is more convenient for me to complete my degree than relying solely on traditional classes. Justification: Today online learning provides more convenience for today's 21t century student who may also be working at the same time.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096751603000885
10. Item: Online learning opportunities at the university provide students with more flexibility and choices of classes than ever before. Justification: Students prefer having options and choices for classes and online environment provides that. http://www.openu.ac.il/Personal_sites/avner-caspi/Download/Beyth-Marom_layout.pdf
Section #3 - Technical Skills

11. Item: I am proficient in using all aspects of the computer and computer software applications.

Justification: We must be comfortable using a computer and working on the Internet even though we do not have to be an expert.
http://academic.kellogg.edu/online/orient/techskills.htm

12. Item: I believe the frequent use of technology contributes to gaining new computer skills. Justification: Frequent use of computers and Internet can help us save time and give us access to lots of online classes.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/ImprovingYourSkills/DG_10037436

13. Item: If I encounter computer problems, I know how to either resolve them or know someone to help assist me with the troubleshooting. Justification: This is a reality for any online student and they must have a plan of action to deal with it. http://distance.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/fall33/mckenzie33.html
14. Item: I have updated virus protection software running on my computer. Justification: All students need to have virus protection software installed and working properly before beginning an online course, otherwise you may lose valuable information and fall behind on work due to malfunctions with your computer. http://jise.org/Issues/13/143.pdf
15. Item: I have regular access to a reliable, high-speed Internet connection.
Justification: Without high-speed internet connection, students won't be able to use some of the functions in an online course. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096751603000204
16. Item: My web browser can play a variety of multimedia formats. Justification: To be able to use your course management system at its peak, you need to have a strong multimedia platform (Swan 2002).
17. Item: I have multiple options where I can go to upload my assignments in case of technology failure with the online course system. Justification: Students need to consult the online instructor or technology staff on alternatives for submitting work when technology failures
do occur. http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/viewArticle/710




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